mtees



(N0 Modem -3 Sheets- Sheet 2.

P. MYERS.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

EIE mce.

m5 scams PETERS ca, Fume-mm, wnsmna'mu, n. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' F. MYERS.

7 TYPE WRITING MACHINE. No. 439,171. Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

me mm vwu cm, mom-mum, WASMMTTON, ne t.

- relative distances to which the type-key levers UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK MY Rs, or LIvERPooL, ENGLAND.

TYPE-WR'ITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,171, dated October 28, 1890. Application filed October 7, 1889. Serial No. 326,277. (No model.) Patented in England October 12, 1888. No. 14,651- v ing Machines, (for which I have received Letters Patent in England, dated October 12, 1888, No. 14,651,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that kind of typewriting machine in which the type are arranged above the paper-carriage or platen upon the peripheries of one or more vertical disks, the said disk or each disk, if there be more than one, being rotated into a given position for each type thereon, the relative amounts of such rotation depending upon the or mechanism connected therewith are or is depressed. Certain portions of the mechanand the present invention relates more especially to the arrangement and adjustment of the type-wheel, to the adjustment and operation of the platen and its supporting-bed, to the locking of the type-wheel in its exact position for printing, to the spacing of the words, to the construction of the type-wheel, and-to various details of construction.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of the machine with the platen and platenframe removed and with parts broken away to show the internal mechanism. Fig. 2 is a plan of .the'machine with the parts broken away and the platen and its frame removed. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the right-hand end of the machine. Fig. 4 is a section on line a a, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the lefthand end of the machine, the key-levers and platen-frame being removed. Fig. 6 is a rear View showing a portion of the spacing mechanism set forth in Fig. 5.

A is the main frame of the machine, on one end of which is mounted the overhanging type-wheel standard B. The main frame A,

carrying the said standard and almost the whole of the mechanism hereinafterdescribed,

is pivoted, as at A to a fixed machine-bed A, the pivotlyi ng in or abouta vertical plane pass ing through the center of gravity of the frame and the parts supported thereby, wherebyconsiderably less force is required to depress the frame than is necessary in machines hitherto Constructed and having similar frames. The main framelies normally in an approximately horizontal position, being held in this (its elevated) position by a spring or springs A Fig. 3, and being retained therein against any ten- 'dency to depress its front edge by a spring or other locking-catch A which is released at the proper moment, as hereinafter described. Suitable buffered stops (1. may be provided below the main frame, and they may be adjustable, if desirable.

The type-wheel H is secured, preferably, in a removable manner upon its shaft h, which is capable of being oscillated about and moved longitudinally upon its axis, as hereinafter described. The type-wheel is located with its periphery in close proximity to that of the platen or paper-carriage R below it. The shaft h is held in position on the standard B by a removable cap I).

The type are arranged in one or more, preferably six, parallel circles X X Y Y Z Z Fig. 2, around or partly around the periphery of the type-wheel. Instead of arranging two or more groups of type upon one wheel, I may arrange them on separate wheels of equal diameters, mounted side by side upon the same shaft. circles of type-say X X -contains the capi tals an d the stops or signs most frequentlyused therewith, a second adjacent pair of groupssay Z Z embraces the small letters with their usual stops, 850., while the third pair of groups Y Y which is preferably the central one, includes the numerals and those stops, signs, or characters which are seldom used. By thus arranging the type in a series of parallel rows the diameter and weight of the type-wheel may be greatly reduced.

0 C are the key-levers, each provided with a finger-key 0, corresponding to a particular type in each adjacent pair of groups X, Y, or Z, and each adapted when depressed to rotate the type-wheel into a definite angular position, as hereinafter described.

vers and keys are arranged substantiallyas de-' One adjacent pair of groups or' -Ioo Both le- I scribed in my pending application, Serial No. 3l7,689,beforecited. Thelever-shaftD,upon which the levers are capable of turning freely, is supported, preferably in a fixed manner, upon the standard B at one end of the main frame and upon a lug B at the opposite end thereof.

a is a check-rod,limiting the upward movement of the levers. The downward movement of the levers is limited by the rib a upon the main frame, the striking-points of which are all located at the same distance from the under sides of their respective striking-levers. Each of the latter is thus capable of the same amount of travel. d are collars upon the shaft D between the levers O, which serve to prevent lateral movement in the rear ends of the levers. The lateral movement of the front ends of the lovers is prevented by a guide-comb C hereinafter described.

c c are the lever-elevating springs. These are attached, as shown in Fig. 4, to a tube 0 mounted loosely upon the main-frame pivot A and prevented from turning thereon by a rearward projection 0 the outer end of which rests against the under side of the main-frame.

The type-wheel pinion K is connected by suitable gearing-such as F F F Figs. 1 and 3with the type-wheel-operating frame 0 which is pivoted at its rear edge, as at a to the main frame, and has its front edge lying transversely below the key-levers C.

0 Fig. 3, is an elevating-springfor theframe C the upward movement of which 1s limited by the contact between the sides of the frame and the collars 61 upon the shaft D, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. r

As set forth in my pending application, Se-

0 rial No. 317,689, the front edge of the frame (3 is provided with a series of striking-points, located at various distances below the levers C, so that each lever of a series corresponding to the type of one single group X, X Y, Y Z, or Z will, when depressed to the rib a turn the frame 0*, and consequently the type-wheel H, into a different and definite position, such position being that required to print with the 7 type represented by the depressed key-lever.

In the machine setforth in the drawings, Figs. 1,2, and 4, the above striking-points are formed by the lower ends of the guiding-slots c of the guide comb or plate 0 attached to the front of the frame 0 The slots are of various depths, as seen in Fig. 1, and their sides serve as guides for the front ends of the levers, as before mentioned. The spring 0 returns the frame 0 and the type-wheel H into their normal positions when a depressed key is released.

The platen R, the platen-frame R, the hinged bed S, carrying the same, the reciprocatory spacing-rack T, its pawl 79, and the linespacing mechanism (not shown on the drawings) are all substantially the same as were described in my pending applications, Serial Nos. 310,696 and 317,689 aforesaid. The rear edge of the bed S is, however, supported upon the upturned end of an elevating-lever S, hereinafter described, and instead of being hinged at its front edge upon fixed pivots carried by the main frame is hinged upon pivots s, carried by the corresponding ends of two approximately vertical and parallel arms S Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5, which are pivoted at their lower ends upon any suitable part or parts of the machine, preferably upon the pivot A about which the main frame A oscillates. The arms S are placed one at each end of the machine, and are preferably connected bya rigid cross bar, which forms the pivots s, so that the said arms can be moved simultaneously by a hand-lever S Figs. 2 and 5, attached to or connected with one of the arms S By means of this hand-lever the platen R can be placed in position below one group of type-say the first group X, Y, or Z'-of any required pair of groups X, Y, or Z on the type-wheel. A

spring-catch 3' 5 Figs. 1 and 2, or its equivalent, is carried by one of the arms S and is adapted to enter any one of three holes or indentations 3 Fig. 3, on the standard B, so as to lock the platen-frame bed in any of its three positions. An arrangement such as the following is also provided for moving the typewheel longitudinally, in order to bring the second group X Y, or Z of any pair of groups into position above the platen. A comb or slotted plate E is placed below the type-key levers G and approximately parallel to their axis, being pivoted at its lower edge to the main frame, as at e. The comb is inclined at an angle from the vertical, (say from fortyfive degrees to sixty degrees,) and the tips of its teeth 6 are located normally in contact with orashort distance below the under sides of the key-levers. Those levers whose corresponding type are to be found in the said first group X, Y, or Z of a pair do not (when depressed) actuate the comb E aforesaid as they pass between the teeth e thereof. Those levers, however,whose corresponding type are embraced by the said second group X Y or Z of a pair strike (when depressed) against the tips of the teeth e of said comb and turn the latter upon its pivot e in such a manner as to operate suitable mechanism connecting the comb with the type-wheel shaft, so that the latter is moved longitudinally and the said second group X Y or Z of a pair brought into position for printing.

The comb B and type-wheel shaft may be connected as follows: An arm E, movable with the comb, is providedat its upper end with a fork. The said fork engages a groove f in the elongated boss of the toothed quadrant F (which is capable of sliding upon its shaft F) in such a manner that the said quadrant is drawn along its shaft when the comb is depressed. During this movement the quadrant F is held in gear with its pinion K by means of flanges k on the latter, (or on the quadrant,) so that the sliding motion of the quadrantis transmitted to the type-wheel H. The shaft F is also preferably provided with a collar f which limits the longitudinal movement of the quadrant to the distance between the groups 1 and 2 of the adjacent pairs of groups X, Y, or Z, and the rack F or its toothed segment F is made broad enough to permit of such longitudinal movement. The type-wheel shaft and comb E are returned to their normal positions when free to do so by a suitable spring f, which is connected to a downward extension of the arm E, Fig. 3.

One end of the type-wheel shaft carries a locking wheel or disk H provided on its periphery with aseries of teeth, notches, or their equivalent, having the same relative angular position as the type in any type group on the wheel H. A locking pin or pawl L, Fig. 1, is arranged to engage with one of these notches or teeth each time the main frame A is depressed to print a character, as hereinafter described, so that the type-wheel is always held firmly in position during the moment of printing.

In Fig. 1 the locking-pawl L is shown attached to a flexible arm L which is pivoted to the standard 13 at Z and to a connectinglink L at Z. Thelower end of the connectingliuk is jointed to a rocking lever L Figs. 3 and 4, which is pivoted to the bed of the machine at Z and is engaged at its outer end by aprojecting piece a on the front of the main frame A. Each depression of the mainframe causes the pawl L to be raised into engagement with the teeth of the locking-wheel, and the flexible pawl-arm L is bent slightly upward during the further depression of the main frame necessary to press the paper Q against the type, as hereinafter described. On the release of the main frame Ait is raised to its original position by its spring A and the parts L L L L are returned to their normal positions by gravity or otherwise.

The spacing of a character is accomplished on the depression of its corresponding typekey lever, as follows, reference being had especially to Figs. 2, 5, and 6: P P l? P is a spacing-framesuch as described in my pending application, Serial No. 317,689, the said frame being pivoted at its rear edge to the main frame, as at a", and having its front edge or bar lying transversely below the key-levers C and held normally against the under sides thereof, as hereinafter described. The frame is thus turned about its axis at each depression of one of said levers. The spacing-rack T aforesaid is connected by suitable mechanism with the spacing-frame in such a manner that the rack and the platen R are drawn along the required distance each time the said frame is depressed to a given point.

The spacing frame and rack may be connected as follows in a similar manner to that set forth in my pending application, Serial No. 317,689. An upright arm 19, Figs. 5 and 6, is attached to the lower cross-bar of the frame and engages at its upper end with an angle-lever p, which is pivoted at p to the main frame. The upper end of the angle-1ever 19 engages with the laterally-projecting pin 15 on the rack in such a manner that the latter is drawn along the required distance each time the bar P of the spacing-frame is depressed to its lowest position by a key-lever. The rack and spacing-frame are returned to their normal positions after being operated by the rack-spring 25 Fig. 2, connected at one end. to a pin i on the rack.

For spacing the words a separate spacing key G, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and4 is provided. It is preferably of a considerable length and lies alongside the keys O, being carried byone or more spacing-key levers G, placed between the key-levers and turning about their supporting-shaft D. The spacing-key lever- (or levers) operates the spacing-frame aforesaid in a precisely similar manner to the key-levers, and it (or they) is also provided with a returning-spring exactly similar to the springs c of the type-key levers. A slot is left in the comb-plate 0 below each lever G, as seen in Fig. 1, the said slot being of such a depth that its lever will not when depressed come in contact with the plate.

The spacing-frame P P P P is provided with a rearward extension P Figs. 1 and 5,

which operates-that is, pushes outward-the A aforesaid springlocking catch A at the proper moment, so that V the main frame is free to be depressed as soon as a key-lever has come in contact with the rib a thereon.

The operation of printing is performed as follows: The elevating-lever S upon the upturned end of which the rear edge of the bed S is supported, as before described, is pivoted at S Fig. 4: 1:10 the fixed machine-bed A, and is operated upon the depression of the front portion of the main frame by meansof a projecting piece a thereon in such a manner as to raise the platen B into contact with the type. The greater part of the weight of the bed S is supported by the spring 8, Fig. 5. The inking of the type may be accomplished by a strip, pad, or roller M of absorptive material saturated with ink and resting against the type on. the periphery of the type-wheel. In Figs. 2 and 3 the inkingroller M is shown mounted upon a removable axle The manner in which I prefer to form the type-wheels is as follows: The type are set up in their proper relative position-s upon a plane surface. An electrotype copy bearing the characters in relief is then obtained, and this is bent round a wheel or core, preferably of some light material-such as wood-and is suitably secured thereto. The core orwheel is then fixed upon the shaft in any convert lent manner, preferably in such a manner as to be readily detached therefrom When desirable. The sheet of paper Q, Fig. 3, is

guided to and retained in position upon the platen R by means of a guide-plate r and a cranked wire r both constructed and arranged substantially as described in my pending application, Serial No. 310,696.

The mode of action of the machine is as follows: The paper being adjusted to the platen and the latter adjusted to the desired longitudinal position, by lifting the rack-pawl t, Fig. 3,-out of engagement with its rack the hinged platen-frame bed S is moved by its hand-lever S to bring the platen into position below the group No. 1 of the pair of groups X, Y, or Z with which it is desired to print. In this position it is retained by the spring-catch s s aforesaid until it is desired to change from capitals to figures or small letters, or vice versa, when the hand-lever S is quickly moved and the position of the platen changed. A key being depressed its lever first depresses the spacing-frame P P P P, and then, striking the bottom of its slot 0 in the pivoted comb-frame 0 it depresses the latter, also, to a greater or less distance, according to the depth of the slot, and rotates the type-wheel H into the proper position for printing. Some of the key-levers will also depress the hinged comb E aforesaid and move the type-wheel longitudinally, so as to bring the group No. 2 of the pairs of groupsX,Y,or Z into position above the platen. By the time the lever O has come in contact with the rib a on the main frame the corresponding type is in position for printing and the platen R has been also moved longitudinally the space of one letter. At this moment the rearward extension 10 of the spacingframe unlocks the main frame A, and this latter is depressed by continuing the pressure on the key 0. During the first portion of the movement of the main frame the typewheel is locked by its locking-wheel H and pawl L, and during the latter portion of the movement the platen-bed S, being raised by the lever S aforesaid, presses the sheet of paper Q against the type. The main frame now comes in contact with its front bufier or buffers a and any further pressure on the paper is prevented. On releasing the key all the parts, with the exception of the platen and its frame R and pawl are returned to their normal positions by the various springs aforesaid. The spacing-key G operates the spacing-frame and moves the platen longitudinally without unlocking the main frame or raising the platen against the type, for the reason that the said key is released by the operator as soon as the forward extension 0 Fig. 4, of its lever comes in contact with the rib a The type are inked at each rotation of the type-wheel.

In describing the foregoing machine and its modifications it has been assumed that the matter was printed from. left to right. The machine could, however, with slight modifications, be adapted to print from right to left. 1

I declare that what I claim is 1. In a type-writer, a type-wheel H,arocking main frame A, supporting the same, a series of type-key levers C, each adapted to depress the main frame, as described, mechanism connecting said levers and type-wheel, and a spacing-frame pivoted to said main frame and adapted to be depressed by each of said levers prior to its said operation of the main frame, in combination with a catch A retaining the frame A in its normal position, and mechanism connecting said spacing-frame and catch and adapted to automatically disengage the latter when the spacingframe and lever have completed their downward movements, whereby the main frame is held immovable until the spacing operation and type-wheel adjustment are accomplished, substantially as described.

2. In a type-writer, the combination of a pivoted main frame A, a spacing-frame P P P P, pivoted at its rear edge to said frame, a series of key-levers O on the frame A, each adapted to successively depress the front edges of said spacing and main frames, as described, a spring-catch A retaining the rear edge of said main frame against upward movement, and a rearward extension P on the spacing-frame adapted to thrust said catch outward at each depression of said frame, substantially as set forth.

3. In a type-writer, the combination of a type-wheel H, having the type arranged upon its periphery in two or more pairs of parallel circular groups, as X Y Z, a series of depressible keys C, corresponding to the type in any one of said pairs of groups, a platen R, lying in proximity to said wheel with its axis transverse to the axis thereof, means for readily adjusting the platen into the position required to print with the first group of any of said pairs of groups X, Y, or Z, a device connecting the type-wheel with those keys G which represent the type in the second group of any pair of groups X, Y, or Z, and adapted on the depression of any one of such levers to slide the type-wheel longitudinally and adjust the said second group into the printing position, and type-Wheel-actuating mechanism adapted on the depression of any key C to turn the type-wheel through the angle required to bring the correspondingindividual type into register with the printing-point, substantially as described.

at. In a type-Writer, the combination of the type-wheel H, capable of an oscillatory and longitudinal movement, the series of type arranged on the periphery thereof in pairs of parallel circular groups X Y Z, the series of depressible key-levers 0', representing the type in any one of said pairs of groups, the sliding platen R, lying transversely below and in proximity to the type-wheel, the platencarrying bed S, capable of transversal movement, as described, the operating-arms S and lever S for said bed, the spring-catch bed adjusting and locking device s 3 the pivoted comb E, located below and adapted to be oscillated by a certain number of said levers O, as described, mechanism connecting said oscillatory comb with the type-wheel and adapted to slide the same to a given distance at each oscillation of the comb, the pivoted type-wheel-operating frame 0*, capable of being depressed by said levers to various distances, as described, and gearing, as F F F K, adapted to transmit the varying oscillatory movements of the said frame to the typewheel, substantially as described.

5. In a type-writer, the combination, with a pivoted main frame A and a series of depressible key-levers O, mounted thereon, of a series of lever-elevating springsc, a tube 0 carrying the same and mounted loosely on the frame-pivot A and a stop device 0 adapted to prevent rotation in the tube, substantially as described.

6. In a type-writer, the combination, with a typewheel H and a sliding platen R, lying below the same, of a hinged platen-carrying bed S, a pair of oscillatory arms supporting the hinge-pivots of the bed and adapted to move the same in a direction transverse to the platen -axis, and means for adjusting and holding said pivots in certain definite positions, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. In a type-writer, the combination, with a typ e-wheel H, having the type arranged upon its periphery in double groups X Y Z, as described, and a sliding platen R, lying transversely below the same, of a hinged platencarrying bed S, a pair of oscillatory arms S S supporting the hinge-pivots of the bed S and capable of synchronous movement therewith in a plane parallel to the type-wheel axis, and a spring-catch device 5' s movable with the said arms and adapted to engage one of a series of relatively fixed holes or indentations s 8 having a pitch corresponding to that of the douple type-groups X Y Z, substantially as described.

8. In a type-writer, the combination, with the sliding type-wheel H, having its type arranged in one or more double groups, as described, and the series of depressible key-levers C, of the oscillatory comb E, lying transversely below the said levers and having the tips of its teeth arranged, as described, with respect thereto, the forked arm E, movable with said comb, the type-wheel operatingquadrant F capable of sliding upon its axis within fixed limits and having a boss-groove f engaged by the forked end of said arm E, the type-wheel pinion K, rigidly connected with the type-wheel and sliding synchronously with the quadrant Fi and the returning-springf, substantially as described.

9. In a type-writer, a type-wheel H, having the type arranged upon its periphery in parallel circular groups, and a pivoted main frame A, adapted to be depressed at one edge, as described, after the adjustment of the type-wheel, in combination with a notched locking wheel H movable synchronously with the type-wheel and having its teeth arranged in the same relative angular position as the type in any one of said groups, a locking-pawl L, located in proximity to said wheel upon a flexible arm L a link L connected at its upper end to the outer extremity of said flexible arm, and a rocking lever L mounted on the stationary machine-bed and having one end jointed to the lower extremity of the link L and the other end adapted to be engaged by a piece a on the depressible edge of the main frame A, whereby the type-Wheel is locked in position during the first portion of the downward movement of said frame and remains looked, without straining any part, during the latter portion of such movement, substantially as described.

10. In a type-writer, the combination of the sliding platen-frame R, the spacing pawl t thereon, the spring-pressed reciprocatory spacing-rack engaging said pawl, the pivoted spacing-frame connected with said rack, substantially as described, the type-ke y levers 0', each adapted when depressed to engage and depress said spacing-frame, and the spacingkey lever G, lying alongside of the levers G, and also adapted to engage and depress said frame, substantially as described.

11. In a type-writer, a main frameA, adapted to be depressed at its front edge, as described, and a platen-carrying bed S, hinged upon the main frame and adapted tobe moved toward the type-wheel to eifect the printing operation, in combination with a rocking lever S, pivoted upon the fixed machine-bed and having its rear end supporting the free side of said hinged bed and its front end adapted to be engaged by a piece a on the front of the main frame, whereby the platen is moved toward the type-wheel at each depression of the main frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

F. MYERS.

Witnesses:

GEO. O. DYMOND, A. T. SHOOBRIDGE. 

